Yin and Yang are relative concepts that are both essential to life. It is said that the Yin provides sustenance for the Yang and the Yang protects the Yin. Yin is considered the substance of life and Yang is considered the functional, active aspect of any process or cycle. Yang is often associated with action, creativity, and movement. Yang is the element of a cycle or process where energy is being expended in order to perform an action, or create change. Yin is often associated with rest, receptivity, and quiet. Yin is the element of a cycle or process where energy is being accumulated, assimilated, and stored for later use. The literal meaning of each character is representative of some of the character’s qualities. The Chinese character for Yin represents the shady side of a hill, while the Chinese character for Yang represents the sunny side of a hill. The Chinese characters for Yin and Yang are very much representative of their meanings and portrayal in the yin-yang model. This relationship of balance extends to one of harmony because the two energies blend into one seamless whole, which is represented by the swirling in the symbol. The model portrays that these energies are separate, but equal depicting balance in the relationship. The presence of the seeds within the opposing energy depicts that yin is not only itself, but it is also yang due to the yang energy present within the Yin in the form of a seed and vice versa. However, this only takes place under certain conditions, under which the seed can grow. The seeds represent the ability of one energy to transform into the other. Conversely, Yang is represented by the color white and contains a black “seed” of Yin. Yin is represented by the color black in the model and contains a “seed” of Yang, which is represented by a white dot. In the yin-yang model, the two energies blend into one seamless whole to represent a relationship of harmony. The constant activity of the properties is what gives rise to change.
Yin and Yang are essentially two properties in the universe that are constantly opposing, yet complementing, each other. where it was referenced in the I Ching, or The Book of Changes. The theory can be traced back to as far as 700 B.C. The Yin and Yang theory is an ancient concept used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to identify health problems.